If you've seen my Instagram recently, you would know that my older sister Trina had just come back from a 2 week work trip to the US. She went to LA as well as San Francisco and she was kind enough (although more likely compelled by me) to purchase some makeup bits that I have had my eye on for months now (no joke, I blame YouTube) and still managed to get me a few odds and ends that I absolutely love. So I thought, what better way to show my love and gratitude by making a blog post on everything she got me! Hihi :)


Please don't think that I am showing off- I am also, in no way, saying I am a makeup expert, nor a "guru" of sorts. These are just products that I can't seem to get my hands on here in the Philippines and some of the makeup in the US is definitely cheaper. I hope this entry is useful for those that may have a trip coming up, or for those that have relatives/friends in or visiting the US and you'd like them to purchase a few things for you. There will also be a "mini review" of the products as I have already (in just two days #addict) tried them.




Maybelline "The NUDES" Eyeshadow Palette


I've had my eye on the Urban Decay NAKED palette but could never bring myself to spend $50 dollars on eyeshadow (or let my sister spend that much Hehe). I know people say it's worth the money, that it's so pigmented and fun to work with but since I'm not a makeup artist and I've just started getting into makeup (I have a lot to learn about what matches my skin, doesn't break me out in hives, etc) so I still don't see it being a part of my collection any time soon. Plus, it always seems to be out of the stock in all the websites. With that being said, this little guy from Maybelline had been getting a lot of attention from some of my favorite YouTubers and beauty bloggers that I decided to add it to my list of purchases.

At $8.99 (P402), I thought it was pretty much, a bargain. I love Maybelline because they're a perfect example of a cosmetic brand that offers quality products at a fraction of the cost. I have tried a ton of their mascaras (Great Lash and The Rocket mascara being my favorites), am IN LOVE with their Color Tattoo cream shadows and obsessed with their Fashion Brow eyebrow tint/mascara that I knew this was going to be a product I loved. And I was right!

It's super pigmented and offers 6 matte shades as well as 6 shimmer ones. Some of the colors are even comparable to the shades found in the NAKED palettes- from the gold shimmer shadow to the matte taupe-ish brown, this is a product that can be used for a casual daytime look or a smokey night out look. So far, I'm really enjoying it and is definitely worth the money! :)

Maybelline Age Rewind Dark Circle Correcting Concealer
Longest. Name. Ever. But boy does it mean business! As much as I love my Collection Lasting Perfection Concealers, this wind up wand of magic is fantastic! It not only covers my dark circles and blemishes but when set with powder, it doesn't crease! Such a fuss-free makeup product worth every bit of its $6 dollar price tag.

The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer


Dubbed as the "Holy Grail Highlighter" this is something that I knew I had to get from the US. It was out of stock for so long in Beauty Bar and Luxola that I thought it best to just wait for my sister's trip to buy it. Also, being the "Kuripot Karla" that I am (even if it wasn't going to be my money being spent) it came out so much cheaper on Amazon at about $16 with a free makeup brush!


Now I know what all the fuss is about. This highlighter... oh my goodness. It is the most perfect shade of champagne sparkle goodness on the cheeks and can even be used as an eyeshadow on those "no makeup" makeup days. It's so finely milled too, making it very subtle on the skin.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in "Exposed"


One of my favorite YouTube vloggers/beauty bloggers Anna of ViviannaDoesMakeup recommended this blush in one of her monthly favorites, explaining how it was the best blush for those who love a bold or red lip. Being a red lip lover myself, I couldn't not try it out. Now I have to admit, Tarte products are pretty pricey- Trina got this blush for me from Sephora and it was about $20 bucks but so far, I think it's super worth it.

I'm not sure if it truly lasts 12 hours but I've applied it before lunch and by the end of the day/late afternoon, my cheeks still have that "healthy glow." And Anna was right! For those that love red lips but are afraid to use blush at the same time (in fear of looking like a crazy lady/clown) this is the blush for you! It's hard to explain but it's sort of this brown-ish, taupe-ish, old rose-ish (how many more times am I going to use "ish" in this entry?) blush.

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara (Travel Size)


First of all, how cute is this little guy?! You guys probably can't tell but this mascara is TINY! I decided to get a travel size first despite it being "one of the best mascaras of all time" because

1. I still looooove Maybelline's mascaras
2. Tarte products are pricey (this little travel one was $10)
3. I wasn't sure if it would look good on my lashes

One of my biggest frustrations in life is that my eyelashes are neither full nor long. #firstworldproblems My mother had decided to cut them when I was a baby (cause people said it would grow even longer and fuller) but my lashes decided to rebel and now grow very thinly and straight. So finding a good mascara is a challenge for me but I gotta say, this mascara is pretty good! It really separates the lashes and makes them look longer, but not as full.

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in "Outlaw"


Now I may not agree with her taste in men or reasons for dating such men but I do agree with Kat Von D in the makeup department. Ever since I found out she had released her own line of makeup that was "fool proof" and super long lasting, I did my research. This liquid lipstick was one of Trina's many surprises for me. This shade is always out of stock and for good reason- it is the PERFECT RED. It has a blue undertone which makes teeth look super white and is easy to apply and dries matte. A red lip may be hard to eat/drink with but this lipstick does not budge. I actually didn't need any touch ups which made me very happy (I am a messy eater/drinker of sorts).

The Odds and Ends